USA: Paige Murphy (Final Reflections)

Thanksgiving break is fast approaching, and after that, I only have two weeks left here in Washington D.C. Honestly, I am crushed at the thought of leaving this city, my internship, and the friends I have made over the course of this fall semester. Studying away in Washington D.C. was the best decision I have ever made, and I know I will cherish these past few months for the rest of my life. The Wisconsin in Washington D.C. Internship Program introduced me to a group of incredible students that I would have never met otherwise. As a group, we have spent the last few months exploring the city, like in the picture above, going to school events, and spending time together in and out of the classroom.

Additionally, this program has allowed me to grow on an individual level. I am much more confident in myself as both an employee and a student. I have developed incredibly useful professional skills and experience, which will make me a more valuable employee in the future. When I started my internship at the United States Senate in September, I had no idea what to expect. I was so nervous that I would embarrass myself, but they hired me for a reason, and I now know why. This fall has highlighted the fact that I am an extremely hard worker, responsible, and flexible, and all these skills have allowed me to have an amazing and successful internship experience.

As I say goodbye to Washington D.C. in the coming weeks, I would like to say how extremely grateful I am for the opportunity to spend a semester here. This experience would not have been possible without the help of the dedicated individuals at the Study Abroad Resource Center, and I would like to thank them for all that they do!

 

Paige Murphy

Hometown: Shakopee, Minnesota

Major: Political Science; Certificate in Public Policy

Program: Wisconsin in Washington